“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

The words of Benjamin Franklin remind us of the promise education holds for every individual. But imagine if investing in education had the potential to create even greater dividends — to strengthen a community’s economic prosperity or move scientists closer to curing the most deadly diseases.

This past October University of Nebraska and University of Nebraska Foundation officials announced a comprehensive fundraising campaign they believe has the ability to do just that.

Campaign for Nebraska seeks to raise $1.2 billion by the end of 2014. This funding would enable the university to meet high-priority opportunities and needs at UNO and the University’s other three campuses.

The Foundation has raised more than $667 million toward its goal — the most ambitious in the organization’s 73-year history — since fundraising for the campaign began in 2005.

The campaign’s top priority is to provide students across the state affordable access to the university through scholarships and financial aid provided by private support. At UNO, for example, more than 75 percent of the campus’ 15,300 students currently apply for financial assistance.

The university also seeks to expand student opportunities for global engagement.

“We believe in a shrinking world and a global economy. Whatever happens around the globe has great consequences not only in this country but in Nebraska,” Milliken said. “We need to offer our students the opportunities that they would have in global capitals. We need to offer our students the opportunity to study abroad —to have an advantage as they go into the workplace — but also to prepare them for citizenship, to make decisions with knowledge about the world.”

For UNO alumnus Jim Young, CEO of Union Pacific and chair of the UNO campaign committee, the campaign is a tremendous opportunity for UNO and Omaha.

“In my view Campaign for Nebraska is about the opportunity to continue to call this community a great place to live in America,” he said. “Education is such an important part of that. And when you think about what UNO does for this community today, it is significant.”

"...when you think about what UNO does for this community today, it is significant.” - Jim Young

Young went on to site two examples he believes illustrate UNO’s influence on Omaha: more than 60 percent of educators in the metropolitan area are graduates of UNO; and approximately 50 percent of UNO’s current students are the first in their families to attend college.

The campaign priorities developed for UNO are intended to directly influence the university as well as provide maximum benefit to the Omaha community and state. Three key funding areas are:

• Building an educated work force for the future: UNO exists to educate students, helping them develop the skills needed for success in their careers. This influences the community’s ability to recruit businesses, sustain economic growth and address future work force needs. Increasing first generation and need-based scholarships is a top campaign priority. Being able to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, leading educators in their fields, also is critical. UNO seeks funding to create endowed faculty positions.
• Engaging the community: As a metropolitan university UNO has numerous partnerships in the community’s education, business, nonprofit and social service sectors. Private funding would allow UNO to establish a Community Engagement Center on campus that supports new and existing community partnerships. Funding also is needed for the redevelopment and expansion of the College of Education with special emphasis on early childhood education, literacy and educator preparation.
• Enriching campus and community life: UNO is addressing recreational, arts and cultural opportunities and urban development. These objectives will influence the university’s potential to recruit students and the community’s attractiveness to new businesses, citizens and visitors. Philanthropic gifts would support development of athletic facilities near campus and south of Center Street. They also would allow for the expansion of the Strauss Performing Arts Center and the Weber Fine Arts building.

These priorities, among others, are necessary as UNO seeks new and better ways to serve its students, provide leadership in the community and reflect the momentum and vitality of the metro area, said UNO Chancellor John Christensen in describing the unlimited possibilities the campaign provides for UNO.

“The challenges are too many and the significance to great. We can’t afford to be a good institution. We need to be great. That is what the Campaign for Nebraska is going to help us do.”